Puri Demolition Drive: Shifting Of Raghunandan Library Books Begins

Puri: The district administration here is sparing no effort for relocation and safe preservation of rare and valuable books, documents and palm leaf manuscripts etc. belonging to the nearly century-old Raghunandan Library located within the premises of the historic Emar Mutt.

“No effort is being spared for the shifting and safe preservation of the valuable books and documents etc. of the library,” informed Binay Kumar Dash, ADM, Puri.

Notably, the library was set up in 1921 in the British colonial era by the then Mahant of the Emar Mutt in memory of his guru Raghunandan. The library apart from being a seat of learning and researcher’s paradise for Hindu cultural studies was also an ideal viewpoint for non-Hindus to watch the Jagannath temple.

The historic Emar Mutt is claimed to be 710 years old as of now and has strong association with Jagannath culture and the Lord’s rituals.

Worth mentioning, the Raghunandan Library will be demolished today by the district administration as it has been declared unsafe by the Executive Officer, Puri Municipality after a study by the technical committee under the provisions of the Municipal Act.

The State Cabinet has given its approval for eviction and demolition of all structures within the 75 metre radius of the Meghanad Pacheri (the perimeter wall of the Jagannath temple) in line with the recommendations of the Justice B P Das Commission.